Watchmaker&#39;s instrument.



C. A. BRAUN. WATCHMAKEB'S INSTRUMENT. ArPLIcATIou num Dnc. 2, 1901.

918,821. Y Patented Apr.2o,19o9.

4 VEA/TOR IH: NonRls-Plrtns'co., WASHINDTUN, n, c.

CHARLES A. BRAUN, or REDDING, CALIFORNIA.

WATOHMAKERS INSTRUMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 20, 1909.

Application led December 2, 1907. Serial No. 404,709.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. BRAUN, a citizen of the United States, lresiding Vat Redding, in the county of Shasta and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in l/Vatchmakers lnstruments, of which the following is a speciiication. v

My invention relates to improvements 1n watchmakers instruments, and has for itsobject the provision of a device in the nature of a gage for use in the assembling of pendant watch cases and their movements for readily and quickly ascertainingv the desired and prol er length of the pendant stem.

eretofore in mounting the watch move-v ment in its case there has always been some difficulty experienced in adjusting the length of the winding and setting stem so that it properly engages and `meshes with the movement, the adjustment being accomplished by mere guess-work, it being frequently necessary to remove and replace the movement in the case a number of times before the pro er adjustment could be reached.

e main object of my invention is therefore to provide a device which may be quickly p aced in the watch case and which will indicate at a glance whether the stem projects into the case the proper distance to engage the movement both in the winding and in the setting position; and which will further serve as means for holding thestem to permit removal of the crown so that access may be had to the pendant sleeve in order to turn such sleeve Vand thereby adjust the length of the stem until the device yindicates that the stem is of the proper length.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a combined indicating and measuring device which when used in conjunction with a hunting case Watch will show when the stem has the proper freedom of movement to release the case catch so that the case cover will open when the stem is depressed.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a simple and durable device of the character set forth which may be quickly placed in or removed from the watch case, Which Will perform its functions accurately and with precision, and which will be ractical and elicient for the purposes inten ed.

With the above and other objects in view my invention consists of a back plate adapted to be received in a watch case, means carried thereby to engage and hold the pendant stem of the Watch case, a depressible member mounted on the plate and to be engaged byV the stem, and an indicator actuated by said depressible member to indicate when the stem projects into theoase the proper distance.

My invention further consists'of a watchmakers instrument `embodying certain other novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as herein disclosed and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

yFigure 1, isi-a face view of the device as in use in connection with an ordinary pendant watch case, the pendant being shown in section to better illustrate the different parts. Fig. 2, is an enlarged face view of the instrument detached and independent from the watch case. Fig. 3, is a like view of the same taken from the rear face thereof. Fig. 3al is adetail view ofY a friction plunger for holding the device in theV watch case, the back plate bein shown in section. Fig. 4, is a top plan or e ge view of the same. Fig. 5, is a detail view of a slightly modified form ofthe device.

In the drawings: The numeral 1, designates the base or back plate of the device which is provided with an angular upstanding and oset annular rim 2. This back plate is adapted to be received in the watch case with the annular rim thereof resting on the shoulder 3, `formed in the inner periphery of the case, this shoulder being common to all watch cases and adapted to form a seat for the outer movement ring when the watch is assembled. This back plate is made in the proper sizes to fit all pendant set watches of standard sizesuch as 18, 16, 12, 6, 0 etc. The back plate is preferably formed with a cut away portion 4, near its upper edge, and a radial bore, extends from the edge of said cut away portion inward through the center of the plate. A plunger 6, is mounted in said' bore, the plunger being provided with a collar or abutment 7, near its outer end, and a spring 8, is confined on the plunger between the abutment and the inner edge of the cut away portion, the spring tending to force the plunger outward. The plunger has an angular shoe or head 9, upon its outer end which is adapted to be engaged by the end of the pendant stem when the device is in use in a watch case, the contact face of the shoe being curved in parallelism with the curvature of the rim. An arc shaped stop block 10,

is secured in place across the outer open end of the cut away portion of the back plate, either by means of screws 11, or otherwise and a keyhole slot or opening 12, is formed in said stop block. This keyhole slot in the stop block forms a seat to receive the shoe on the end of the spring pressed plunger when the instrument is not in use and the abutment on the plunger engages the inner face of the stop block to limit the outward movement of the plunger. A `\shaped tapering trough or groove Way 13, leads inward from the face of the rim of the back plate to the enlarged or circular' portion of the keyhole slot. When the instrument is being placed in a watch case, this groove way forms a guiding passage to receive the stem and guide it to the circular portion of the keyhole slot and thus lead said stem to engagement with the head of the plunger. A transversely disposed pin 14, is carried by the plunger' which works in a slot 15, in communication with the seat or bore for the plunger. A pointer or indicator 1'6, is pivoted at 17, to one side of the pin slot, and said pointer has a longitudinal slot 18, therein, which receives the pin carried by the plunger.A ln this way the plunger and pointer are so connected that any movement of the plunger causes a sweeping or partially rotary movement of the pointer upon its pivotal center. A scale 19, is arranged to one side oil the back plate upon which the pointer is kadapted to register. As the stem in pendant watches has two principal positions, the winding and the setting position, proper designations are placed upon the scale to indicate such positions, the words HVWind and Set beingused in the present instance and placed at the proper points upon the scale.

A spring pressed friction plunger or member 20, is mounted in the lower edge of the back plate and is adapted to contact the inner periphery of the watch case to assist in holding the instrument in place, and a pair of thumb screws or `linger holdsZl, are provided on the face of the back plate to serve in handling the instrument.

ln testing a watch case to ascertain whether the stem projects into the case the right distance to properly engage the movement, the back plate is inserted into the empty case by entering the upper edge of the back plate first and causing the stem to engage the groove way in the rim and slide through the circular opening of the keyhole slot into engagement with the head of the plunger. The rounded head of the friction plunger is vthen in engagement with the inner periphery of the case and the instrument may then be forced into the case and is removably held there by the frictional member. The stem is now in engagement with the spring pressed plunger and the plunger is depressed thereby to a certain extent. l/Vhen the stem is in the normal or winding position, if it is ofthe proper length, the plunger will be depressed just enough lo cause the pointer to register upon the mark Wind on the scale or such correspomling designation as may be in use. The stem is then pulled ont to the setting position and il" the pointer registers upon the word HSet the stem is of the proper length andthe movement may then be placed in position in the case with the assurance that the stem will properly engage the movement. ll, however, in the above test the indicador should show that the stem is not olt theI proper adjustment and is either too long or too short, the instrument is given a slight turn or rotary movennnt in the ease which causes the squared end oi the stem to be engaged and held in the reduced or neck portion of the keyhole slot. The stem is then locked against turning and the crown 2%) may be unscrewed therefrom. ll'hen the crown is removed, access may be hud to thev pendant sleeve 3() and this sleeve is adjusted until the stem projects into the ease the proper distance and the indiealor shows that the proper adjustment has been reached.

The instrument may then be removed by the linger holds and the movement placed in the case. illhen a limiting ease is being tested the indicator will also show when the stem has the proper freedom of movement to actuate. the ease catch and release the watch cover.

lf desired, the (,:lamping block for holding the stem against turning, may be made integral with the rim of the back plate, and in such a construction, the rim would have the key-hole slot formed directly therein. Also, the indicating pointer ma;v be dispensed with by providing a suitable scale :nljacent the depressiblc plunger and causing the. plunger to register on said scale. instead ol the back plate, a simple annular ring may be used having scratch marks thereon to iudieate the projier depth ol the stem, :md a number of other modi'lieations may be made in the structure to simplify matters as much as possible, the broad idea olf the invention being to provide a eombimed gage and holder for the pendant stem. (lne sueh modiiication is illustrated in Fig. 5, wherein the rim of the disk or supporting member is provided with a keyhole slot 22, to receive the stem ol the case. A pointer 23, is pivoted at 24, at one end of the slot and the end of the pointer is ad aptcd to register upon the scale 25. The pointer has an angularly ouistanding leverage arm 26, at its base or point of pivotal support, which arm is disposed beneath the slet in the rim and is adapted to be engaged by the end olE the stem. A spring 27, carried by the back plate bears upward against the leverage arm of the pointer to retain it in proper position for engagement by the stem. The latch member or frictional member for holding the instrument in the Watch case may also be in the form of a spring pressed button 28, as is also illustrated in this view.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings, the opera: tion and advantages of my invention Will be readily understood and appreciated and it Will be apparent that I have produced a practical and desirable device Which fully and satisfactorily accomplishes all the objects herein set forth.

I claim: Y

l. An instrument for aiding in assembling Watches comprising means for indicating the proper length that the stem should project into the case and means for engaging and holding the stem to permit adjustment of the same.

2. A Watch instrument adapted to be inserted in a Watch case and provided With means toV indicate When the stem projects into the case the proper distance and With means to hold the stem against rotary move* ment.

3. A Watchmakers instrument comprising a supporting member adapted to be inserted in a Watch case, depressible means carried thereby to be engaged by the stem of the case, an indicator actuated by the de ressible means to determine the proper ength of the stem, and means carried by the supporting member to engage and hold the stem.

4. A device for determining the proper length of Watch stems comprising a back plate adapted to be inserted in a Watch case, a depressible plunger mounted in the back plate, and indicating means operatedby the plunger, the back plate provided with means for guiding the stem to engagement With the plunger.

5. A device for determining the proper length of Watch dstems comprising a back plate adapted to be inserted in a Watch case, a depressible plunger mounted in the back plate to be engaged by the Watch stem, indicating means operated by the plunger, and means ior holding the stem against rotation.

6. A Watch assembling instrument comprising a back plate and a depressible plunger carried thereby to be engaged by a Watch stem, said back plate provided With means for guiding the stem toengagement With the plunger, and indicating means operated by the plunger.

7. A Watchmakers instrument comprising a back plate and a depressible plunger carried thereby, 'means on said back plate for guiding the stem to engagement With the plunger, and means for holding the stem against rotation.

8. In combination With a back plate and a depressible plunger carried thereby, said back plate provided With means for guiding the stem of a Watch to engagement With said lplunger, and with indicating means operated y the plunger, the back plate having means for holding the stem against rotation, and means for retaining the back plate Within a Watch case.

9. A device for indicating the proper stem length of Watches comprising a back plate adapted for receiving and holding the stem of a Watch and 'for guiding the stem to such receiving and holding means, means for retaining the back plate Within a Watch case, a depressible plunger mounted on the back plate, and indicating means operated by the plunger.

l0. In combination with a back plate and means for retaining the same Within a Watch case, of a depressible plunger mounted on the back plate and adapted to be engaged by the stem of a Watch.

11. A Watchmakers instrument comprising a supporting member having a radial bore and a spring pressed plunger mounted therein, an indicator actuated by said plunger, the instrument provided with means for receiving and holding the stem of a Watch.

12. -A device for measuring the proper stem length oi Watches comprising a back plate and a depressible plunger mounted in a radial bore therein, a pointer pivoted to the back plate and having operative connection With the plunger, means for retaining the device Within the case of a Watch, the instrument provided With means for receiving and holding a Watch stem.

13. A measuring instrument comprising a back plate to be inserted in a Watch case, a depressible plunger mounted in a bore in the back plate to be engaged by the stem of a Watch, back plate having means for guiding the stem to engagement with the plunger, the instrument provided With means for holding the stem against rotation When so desired, indicating means operatively connected to the lunger, means Yfor detachably retaining the evice Within a Watch case, and means for handling the device.

In testimony whereof I aliX my signature in presence of tWQWitnesses.

CHAS. A. BRAUN.

Witnesses:

EMIL R. ZEIs, ADOLPH F. DoBRoWsKY. 

